4.28.2009

Good vibrations

I've never been through SERE training-- the military program used to teach soldiers how to resist torture and now used as a basis for the CIA's own "enhanced interrogation" techniques--but I have had to sit through company required, and somewhat tortuous, cultural awareness training courses before taking on a new expat assignment.

Ok, so maybe "torturous" isn't a good word for feeling of sitting in a classroom, listening to hours of cultural stereotypes, learning about local customs and history, but at the time I had to endure the programs I honestly would have preferred root canal or maybe a good old-fashioned colon cleansing. Especially when it came to my training on Germany, the information I learned--about how the German people love to correct you and say no, how they might call the cops if your dog barked after 10pm--proved to be exactly opposite of my positive experiences in the year and few months I lived in the country.

So recently, when I was told in a cultural awareness training that the people of Catalonia are more reserved and hard to get to know, I filed the information away in my brain's "I'll Just Have to See for Myself" folder. This folder is a veritable storehouse of stuff-- from things I've heard in Sunday services, to idle gossip, to anything spewed from a FOX news personality. You listen politely and file it away for another day... or not.

But I have to tell you, once again, this generalization about a people has not been my personal experience. Granted, I've lived in Barcelona for less than a month. But during this time, I have experienced kindnesses from complete strangers all over the city.

My first week, sitting on a bench in front of El Corte Ingles (a popular department store) along Paseo de Gracia, I struck up a brief conversation (in my broken Spanish) with a Catalan woman, who was waiting for her mother to finish shopping. She learned I was new to the country. I learned her sister lived in California. But after only 5 minutes, the woman offered me her phone number. "If you have any questions at all, you can call me," she said. I thought this gesture a fluke at first, but Max and I had a similar experience last night as we walked Charlie around the neighborhood. A man, born and bred in Barcelona and also walking his dog, struck up a conversation with us. Before we knew it, names and numbers were exchanged.

Some people have gone beyond exchanging numbers and offering to answer questions.

During my very first night of salsa class, I met a local woman, who offered to get together with me to practice Spanish. And when I didn't take the initiative after two weeks, she called and invited me for lunch and shopping. I accepted, had a lovely time, and already feel as though I've made a new friend.

From the woman who tore off a piece of her bocadillo jamon (a ham sandwich) and fed it to Charlie as we waited to cross the street to the kindly man at the neighborhood bar, who buys me a single rose from a street vendor every time Max and I enjoy a cocktail before retiring to our apartment, I am struck by the friendliness of this city.

Perhaps things would be different and a little tougher if I lived in a small town away where Spanish isn't widely spoken and fewer outsiders settle down. But at least here, in Barcelona, my first impressions are that the Catalan people are open, friendly, and very helpful.

10 comments:

AmyB said...

This is wonderful news! So happy to know you are being embraced by your new neighbors and home. Of course, you add to their desire to do so, since you rock, but still. YAY! :o)

C N Heidelberg said...

That is awesome!

Connie said...

That sounds wonderful! I agree. Take the advice, file it away. I visited Germany way back when and was told that people would be stand-offish and reserved. I did find people to be very conservative towards me, compared to some places, but incredibly friendly. I felt very welcomed. Like a guest :) Sounds like you are having a very positive experience... of course, you appear to be jumping in with an equally positive attitude and that will take you far!

kenju said...

I have always wanted to go there - and now you're making it worse!!

Claire said...

Sounds brilliant! Cheers!

Cxx

oreneta said...

I do live in a small town outside of BCN, and we are learning Catalan and, while no one buys me flowers regularly, people are very friendly.

running42k said...

What does Max think of the kindly man buying you roses?

Diane Mandy said...

He's an older gent and Max is always there, so he doesn't seem to mind.

Sizzle said...

It sounds lovely.

swenglishexpat said...

Like you said, it's best to find out for yourself. Some of the attitudes you come across might also have something to do with your own personality; being open, positive, curious and so on, like a mirror. Often you get as good as you give, in the positive sense! :-)